Dead DX7

[RonSpencerUK]

I was charging my DX7 using an Ultramat 16, something I've done a couple of times (newish DX7). I had to interrupt the charging and did so by pulling the red battery connector out of the charger.

I switched on the DX7 to see how much it was charged and it was completely dead. I plugged it back into the charger and got the "contact break" error message.

I looked in the Spektrum instruction book but no mention of deadness that I could see, so I opened the back of the DX7 for a look. There's a fuse in there!

 Not mentioned in the book and a bit of a pain to extract. The rating is 3A 250V and it's smaller than a normal household plus fuse.

Fortunately I had a couple of the correct size and rating knocking about so I got up and running again.

Thought I'd post this for other DX7 newbies who might not realise that a spare fuse would be handy to have, and also can anyone suggest a 'non-lethal' way of terminating the charging process?Thanks as ever 

[Klippy]

Hi Ron, the safest way is to disconnect from the 'prime mover' first, ie the mains. If, as some people do you're charging from a battery charger, it's the same. I normally switch off at the outlet first, then you don't get any nasty transients flying around that can blow fuses.

[Ross Clarkson]

Thanks Ron, i am looking at upgrading to the DX7 so this is good advice.

[Terry Whiting]

Ron, 

 I personally have made it a habit never to charge with the battery in situ with either   transmitter or model.

[Dave Towell]

The other option is to use a JR Tx Rx charger. Only a few quid and designed for the job.

[Stephen Grigg]

I use the same charger as you Ron and never had a problem.A new DX7 arrived today and charged in about half an hour.It had 10.3v before charging

[John Privett]

Posted by Terry Whiting on 20/07/2009 06:46:41:

Ron, 

 I personally have made it a habit never to charge with the battery in situ with either   transmitter or model.

 

If the batteries are LiPos then I agree - not a good idea to charge in-situ. 

 

But if they're NiCds or MiMHs aren't you going to get more problems from wear and tear on the battery leads and connectors from constant removing/replacing and plugging/unplugging than any tiny risk of problems from iin-situ charging?

 

[RonSpencerUK]

Hi Stephen - This was the first time I had problems with the charger/DX7 thats why I was a bit concerned when the Tx died on me.

 

Tony - wise words, I'll follow your suggestion if I need to terminate a charge in future.

 

Dave - yeah, I see your point  but I spent £100+ on the Graupner and leads to reduce the number of chargers I have.

 

Thanks for the replies, all gratefully recieved. 

[Stephen Grigg]

I did flatten my battery by leaving the controller on after a confusion of problems that prevented me flying.The battery charged up fine but the length of time it took to charge it did warm up a bit.This is a new DX7.Ibought a DX6i a year ago and had 1 or  3 problems which may have been due to using it with a straight aerial.I bought a secondhand DX7 and Ive had a couple of problems recently.I did a brilliant deal with Galaxy on a new Dx7SE, which I am very happy with.One of the reasons to change and the main reason really is that being secondhand I was always writing over the previous owners settings and worried that I might miss something to the detriment of a model.Im still trying to learn all the settings and basic for me is best,so now Im happy  The end